‘Bullpenning’ III: A’s start Hendriks for 3rd time in 6 games

Liam Hendriks conducted an interview before Friday night’s A’s-Rangers game even though starting pitchers never give pregame interviews on days they start.

An A’s official said everyone’s still trying to figure out this “bullpenning” thing, and Hendriks was cool with it, so he stood at his locker answering questions as if he were simply a reliever.

Which he is.

Except on days he isn’t.

Like Friday.

For the third time in six games, Hendriks will start for the A’s as the first in an expected conga line of pitchers. Both times Hendriks started previously, Saturday and Tuesday, the A’s lost.

The attempt failed Saturday against Seattle, Hendriks being charged with two second-inning runs in an 8-7 loss, but worked Saturday against the Yankees when he pitched a scoreless first inning and immediately got pulled. The A’s got two hits and lost 5-1.

So on two days’ rest, it’s Hendriks’ turn again.

“I think he’ll start every game the rest of the season,” quipped manager Bob Melvin — at least we think he quipped.

Oakland Athletics pitcher Liam Hendriks works against the New York Yankees in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Oakland Athletics pitcher Liam Hendriks works against the New York Yankees in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Photo: Ben Margot / Associated Press

Photo: Ben Margot / Associated Press

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Oakland Athletics pitcher Liam Hendriks works against the New York Yankees in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Oakland Athletics pitcher Liam Hendriks works against the New York Yankees in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Photo: Ben Margot / Associated Press

‘Bullpenning’ III: A’s start Hendriks for 3rd time in 6 games

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Chris Bassitt, who was recalled from Triple-A Nashville Friday, is the expected second pitcher and apparently would work multiple innings, as Daniel Mengden did in both Hendriks starts. The A’s were hoping to recall Bassitt and three others (Frankie Montas, Ryan Dull and Nick Martini) on Saturday when roster limits were expanded, but they mistakenly thought players could be called up immediately after their minor-league seasons end.

In fact, according to the collective bargaining agreement, which went into effect last year, players must wait 10 days just like any other time in the season. Montas, Dull and Martini remain on hold.

Meantime, the A’s are all in on “bullpenning,” the purpose of which, Melvin reiterated, is to prevent the starter from facing the top of the lineup a third time.

Melvin admitted there was an “uncomfortableness” with the Relievers ‘R’ Us strategy but chalked it up to the process being a novelty, suggesting there’s more of a comfort factor now.

“It’s a product of losing as many starters as we had and trying to go about it a little bit differently,” Melvin said. “Whether or not that’s the case next year or how many times this year, it’s just trying to be creative and not have your starter go through the top of the order one more time.”

Brett Anderson (forearm strain) will pitch three simulated innings Saturday (15 pitches an inning), and if all goes well, he could pitch on the upcoming trip in Baltimore and St. Petersburg, Fla. The prognosis remains bleak for Sean Manaea (shoulder impingement), who said Friday he hopes to pitch again this season, but it remains a long shot.

“He’s going to have a tough time coming back,” Melvin said. “The longer we go without him throwing, the more difficult it will be to come back, unfortunately.”

Manaea is doing no baseball activity and is doing limited strength work in the trainers’ room.

Another A’s pitcher, Andrew Triggs, was shut down again after experiencing more symptoms from his nerve irritation, Melvin said.

The Rangers have six lefty swingers in their lineup including three of their top four.

“We’re going with a guy who has the ability to get lefties out,” Melvin said of Hendriks. “Down the road, is there somebody (else) we could use? Potentially. But we’re comfortable with Liam at this point.”